THE BARON DE BONCHOSE IS INTRODUCED TO "THE AMEN CLUB."

"Ze Amen Club!" exclaimed the Baron, as we picked our way through the snow, which although light of itself, makes very heavy going: "vot in ze name of all goodness is dat? vot sort of Club do you call dat ?"

"Why, my dear de Bonchose, it is the friendly association of the end of the Old School, who form a conversazione of wit, adventure, and harmony, and they meet at the only rendezvous where choice. spirits are now free from the boisterous and boasting interruption of the inexperienced, or the intrusion of sharpers and roughs."

"Vell, upon mine honour, dat is ze very ting I have long for. I am downright afraid of ze loose Englishman, but have often wish to entare ze cribs of ze Fancy,' and hear zem talk of zair doings."

"Then, moncher," I replied, "this will be a treat, as the Amens,' or Rum-pum-pas,' as they are called, are all tried men, and tip-top knowing ones into the bargain. Several of them you will perhaps recognize as acquaintances. But I must tell you that the rules on joining must be strictly observed: you will have to relate an anecdote or sing a song when called on; they must be original, and never heard before, on pain of forfeiting glasses round; also give an adventure in your own life, and never get drunk before twelve. You must also, under-" (at this point the Baron, making a false step, slipped off the curb and rolled over in the snow; however, we were soon set going again, and reached Piccadilly in safety). "I was observing before the fall, Baron, that you must understand the same fines are forced on any one interrupting another whilst speaking, singing, or telling his story. The chairman for the evening is the sole judge."

"Now, dat is all so vare nice, my friend," he replied, "dat you make me have all ze impatience in ze world to be made ze 'Amen' or 'Rumpum' of."

Whereupon we crossed over near St. James's Church, and passing up a street on our left, entered a public-house a few doors on the right. Perhaps there is no house in London from which so many truly sporting events have emanated as this. Matches made there, were matches in deed, as well as word, and "barny" was a stranger in the land. Milling, walking, running, dog-fighting, pigeon-shooting, and cocking, each received the most "honorable" attention, and what was done in the cause was done in earnest. Immediately on entering was the bar, a very small one for so large a business, behind which formerly served one of the handsomest women of her day-the landlord's only child. To the right was the tap-room, filled with droll sporting prints, and decayed cabmen and touts, the hangers-on of its swell patrons. On your left-hand was the parlour, facing you in which was the portrait of the most popular prize-fighter and publican in England, with his white hair and ivory-topped Malacca cane; it could not be mistaken; it was an admirable likeness. A little to the right of it was the same jovial character in fighting-trim and attitude-both were oil paintings. A

horse's head, life size-" Plenipotentiary's," I believe-adorned the mantelpiece: all around were the celebrities of the ring, whilst a row of photographs of more modern artists hung beneath. But who can forget the large arm-chair, so spacious and solid; the plaster cast of a mighty arm, with doubled fist, hanging like the sword of Damocles, as a warning to the unruly, over their heads? All these, together with the long-established school above, and its young reed-like Mentor of selfdefence, its roped arena and piled up boxes of gloves and slippers, distinguished by the names of their aristocratic proprietors, had now been swept away, and had vanished at the touch of the Brewer's wand. The new tenant, with the common rage for ornamentation and lookingglass, had converted the whole ground-floor into one grand stand drinking saloon, with three divisions, and like a "Rising Sun" it beamed bright, brilliant, and promising of fine things in store for a new generation. Still, out of this transformation and havoc, the "destroying angel" had reserved a sanctum, and set apart one snug unseen corner for the "Amens" and "Rum-pum-pas," where the "Spirit of Sport," which had reigned there so long, might yet enjoy its last dying moments, and upon whom the new host knew, in case all things failed, that he could fall back on for support.

Passing in by the lower entrance next the butchers, for there hast been one there for years, cross the bottom of the bar; there at the extreme end you will find a short passage; opposite you is a door, this is called "Amen Corner;" turn the handle, and you are in the presence of the Club. This we did, and the amazement of the Baron at the novelty of the scene was highly amusing.

"Mon Dieu," he whispered, "vat is dis? I can see noting."

It was not surprising either, for coming out of the cold air the effect was only what was to be expected on entering a crowded room of smokers, jokers, and drinkers,

We took our seats, said "Amen," ," and began to look about us as soon as we could, the better to do which we lighted our own cigarsit is the best remedy. We directly discovered that we were in great luck-the presentation of a silver cup to one of the oldest members had just come off. It was on the table in all its virgin brightness, filled to the brim. First, however, let me describe some of the company. In the chair sat a thin aristocratic gentleman of about forty, with perked features, pointed nose and chin, light hair and whiskers, evidently well attended to, for they always looked as if fresh brushed and kept in form in spite of the heat. He was dressed in evening costume, with a white tie; nevertheless, he struck you at once as a riding man. There was a nervous energy about him, which, coupled with his elegant figure, impressed you with the idea that he was a "good goer;" and so he was, for he was one of the best men that ever went across a country, either in steeplechasing or hunting. He was a great patron of the ring, and always attended big fights, and, moreover, was a capital judge of the merits of the contest, and looked upon as an authority, being a very cool observer. In many other respects Major Leep was an accomplished sportsman, and added to it the charm of most engaging manners. On his right sat a burly, countrified, good-natured looking man of quite another caste. He was a bloated specimen of a well-to-do Stock-Exchange jobber. He was leaning over the table on

both elbows; in one hand was his pipe, the other was spread through his hair. Being very broad-shouldered and big at all points, extremely restless, and loud in talk, he had been named the "Mountain-in-labour." He was listening intently to the speaker. Next to him, quite in the corner, sat a most remarkable character; but so long has he been known to most of us on the stones of London, that his description will probably be as familiar as it is easy. Of rather spare figure, somewhat beneath the middle height, he was dressed in black, always of the same cut—a tail-coat and tightish trousers. There was not the least attempt at a get-up with him-it was all simplex munditiis. The only thing that caught the attention was a white tie or cravat, the chief peculiarity of which was the adjustment of it. For forty years it had never been varied. It folded across the chest, his high black waistcoat hiding the ends of it. He wore no pin, or chain, or ornament of any kind to set it off. It fitted under the jaw, which Time, alas! had made angular and bony. There was no collar to interfere with its importance, and it was evident at once that more depended upon the white tie than one might suppose. He had neither whiskers nor moustache, and his face, which, at a distance, appeared smooth, and soft, and fresh, was on close proximity filled with a thousand little wrinkles. From the same point of view, he struck you as not more than thirty-five or forty years of age; but on nearer approach you would not have been surprised had you been told he was eighty. He had been an extraordinary good and plucky rider, shot well, and played billiards like a professional, being up to every trick on the board. He was decidedly a good talker, was reckoned a wit, and much esteemed for his good company, which was greatly sought by a loose set of the "Upper Ten," and thereby he was pardoned many of those faults which a man about town can scarcely avoid, especially if poor and obliged to live by his wits. His hair was of that peculiar colour which is neither fair nor red, and is facetiously termed "Ginger," to which cognomen he answered. Take him altogether, he was a most wideawake fellow in all sporting matters, was often consulted for his opinion, and had been concerned in many great matches and wagers. Just then he was a little out of luck. Some were unkind enough to say that his sun was at last setting, and that his day had gone by. He was only biding his time for another win. Next to him sat the brother of the "Mons parturiens." He had thrown himself back, and was partially hid by an aldermanic pipe and its curling volumes. He seldom took part in the fun, nor was often heard to speak, and when he did he only produced the mouse of his brother's brains. This had brought on him the nickname of the "Silent Twin," for they were seldom or ever seen apart. Nevertheless, they were two kind-hearted men, and always subscribed towards the support of a broken-down "fancier."

Having now arrived at the gentleman on his legs about to return thanks (the guest of the evening), we will postpone for the present any further portraiture of our friends until they appear before us as occasion calls them, merely observing that there were amongst the company a colonel and a captain of Dragoons-brothers, by name Blunt-fine sportsmen both, and great at military steeplechasing; a serjeant-major in the Life Guards, celebrated for dividing the sheep, or rather mutton, at a blow, also the lemon and silk handkerchief-he

likewise possessed a breed of white terriers, two of which he then had with him, as good and game as they were beautiful and rare; a drinking doctor, an attendant on the Ring; an animal painter of some fame; an ex-editor of an amphibious journal; a retired pugilist, who had fought in a roped ring on the plains of Waterloo, and was besides the Secretary of the Club; two rollicking stockbrokers; two or three prosperous tradesmen; ditto publicans; a highly-popular pedestrian and trainer of pugs; with some other odd characters, such as old stage-coachmen and turfites, all of whom we will introduce to you in

turn.

Our attention being particularly called to the honoured member then about to express his extreme gratification at the testimonial before him, we will here attempt a slight sketch of him, his " sayings and doings." No doubt the celebrity he has attained has been well deserved, and few men's characters in such a calling would stand a like scrutiny. He is the greatest dealer, fancier, and exporter of dogs ever known; at his "castle" he has seldom a smaller stock than three hundred of them, and generally the very best specimens are to be found amongst them. He has figured in Punch, and been made much of in Bell and other journals, the effect of which is that he has assumed a style and manner seldom before found in the kennel, and of which he was about to give us a sample. As he stood up he appeared about the middle height; his hat at once attracted your observation, and opened your eyes to its originality; it was matchless; where he gets them no one knows; ask him, and he says he picks them up." The brim at the sides is turned convulsively round, and rather low-crowned; in the band in front is fixed a carved bull-dog's head, quite his own idea, the ecce signum of his profession. It was the commemoration of his sixtieth birth-day, and his flushed countenance told of the pardonable excitement on the occasion. Since we last saw him time had frosted his beard, and he had grown thinner; still his eye was sharp and bright as usual, and twinkled with the importance of what he was about to utter. He wore a black cutaway coat, a blue bird's-eye cravat, from which shone an enamel pin of some prize-dog's head; a long shooting waistcoat, and trowsers tight about the ankles. Leaning with one hand on a very short stick, the end of which he rested on the table, he thus opened his address:

"Gents and pals haul-I may say gents of mine; for when I looks around, I sees here on my right and left, many of yer as I first brought hout, and showed the way to sporting glory. Now, there be two (pointing to the Mountain and his brother) as first pulled a trigger hunder my hi. There be more than one as I first took to a fight, and hever so many on yer as I sold 'em their first dog, which yer all knows. Did'nt I twenty year ago sell the Captain that there pointer bitch, as when she had young uns he took her out for a walk, and the pups all stood and barked so staunch and strong, that the old 'un was obliged to bite their ears to make 'em drop it? And did'nt I, Mr. Doctor, let you have that retriever, which, when you was hout and about, used to walk hup and down on the gravel path afore the door, and then go and find yer, and tell yer if there was a bird in the trap-a patient awaiting? and wasn't he a discriminating child? Well, gents, never mind hall that now; but when I looks on that tankard afore me, I sighs and sobs, and compares myself in a manner like to it; hime brim full too; my

feelings is hup to the brim likewise, almost a overflowing, and if I be moved, I shall spill, and make a mess on it. I think I'd better sip a drop for fear o' haccidents;" and suiting the action to the word, he stooped, aud supped, and, much refreshed, continued: "This is a honour I never expected; this is a hend I never aspired to, and my missus and I'll never get over it (sotto voce, without a drink'), to think as my pals and patrons should a made a me-moral, and a testament of me, and to think I should a lived to be a valued like this yere! Well, thank God, I can afford to keep it now, and gaze on it with pride; no fear of uncle Hattenborough now; I've done with them relations now, Im' hindependant o' spouting; and as speechifying haint my game, and delays harmony, I can only say I returns you my most grateful thanks, and whenever any on you Rum-pums and Amens comes my way to the Castle, yer shall have the cup filled with what-hever yer likes best. Gents, haul my best wishes to yer, and may we haul live till we're sick o' one another!" Thus spoke the illustrious tyke merchant, who taking a strong pull at the testimonial, and handing it to his neighbour, resumed his scat amid great cheering.

The consent of the Chairman having been obtained for a song, a most remarkable old Rum-pum got on his legs, and being universally welcomed, he laid down his pipe, and without further said: ceremony "If, gentlemen, vun wolunteer is better ash ten pressed 'uns, I hope my song vill turn out ash goot ash a score. It's a werry old ditty, like me, but none the vorse for that, and I'll do my pest.' He then sat down, in which position let us take his portrait. No man is better known in sporting life than Phil-harmonic Benjamin; he has taken the chair at all the best houses in London from time immemorial. No living member of the Amens or Rum-pums can remember his advent amongst them, and it is quite impossible to guess his age, it is something out of all calculation. He has been present at all the fights in" Fistiana,' at all the races in the calendar, at all the coronations at Westminster, and at all the fires in London, down from the great one. Being of the "pershuasion," it has been suggested that he might possibly be the "Wandering Jew;" but be that as it may, he certainly looks the same Phil Benjamin, unaltered from the day I first saw him, now more than forty years ago. He is extremely informant, instructive, and good natured, and is wonderfully correct in names and dates; consequently he is an admirable referee in all sporting differences of opinion. He is rather below the middle height, spare in figure, of very pale complexion, and certainly not of very Jewish cast of features, although a thorough bred Sheeney. On the table before him was a square-shaped bundle, tied in a blue bird's-eye cotton fogle, said to contain two boxes of cigars, but that is altogether a mystery, for if it is so he neither presses his wares nor reveals them to public inspection, Report says that "once upon a time, a long while ago," some rash youth hazarded an invest ment in a pound of "home-mades," or "pride of the Minories," but that he only survived the trial a few hours; since which catastrophe they have never been exposed or offered for sale; nevertheless, cigars or not, he is never seen without his little parcel, and by this you may always know him; no one ever asks any questions concerning it, believing it to be a painful subject and a personal insult. On this occa sion, first removing it from before him, and placing it tenderly and